Green light for Primary Care Centres in Boyle and Ballaghaderreen

Local Fine Gael TD Deputy Frank Feighan has warmly welcomed priority funding plans for the development of new Primary Care Centres in Boyle and Ballaghaderreen, announced as part of the Government’s multibillion-euro stimulus programme.

“As part of this stimulus package for infrastructure, Ballaghaderreen and Boyle are among a list of 35 locations for Primary Care Centres identified by the Minister for Health. These public private partnership projects will be commissioned subject to agreement between the local GPs and the HSE on active local GP involvement in the centres,” stated Deputy Feighan.

“This is great news for North and West Roscommon and today’s announcement marks a significant boost to the county’s health infrastructure. I look forward to these projects now progressing which will involve the identification of a suitable site for these care centres along with the ongoing development of a primary care team.

“Boyle and Ballaghaderreen are two of six primary care centres being developed in County Roscommon, two of which are already in place in Roscommon and Strokestown while another two, Castlerea and Monksland, are expected to be open by the end of the summer.

“The Roscommon and Strokestown centres are involved in long-term lease arrangements while Strokestown required a brand new build, which will be the case with Boyle and Ballaghaderreen.

“In a developed Primary Care system, as envisaged by the Government, up to 95% of people’s day-to-day health and social care needs can be provided in a community setting. As part of the Government’s primary care strategy, the aim is to develop services in the community to give people direct access ‘under the one roof’ to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, health care assistants, home helps, occupational therapists and other health care workers.

“It makes absolute sense that HSE staff and local GPs can share information and jointly plan care for people living in the community. The Primary Care Team members also link with other community-based disciplines to ensure all health and social needs are provided for such as Speech and Language Therapy, Mental Health Services, Dental and Ophthalmic Services.

“The construction phase of these PPP projects, when they go ahead, will also provide a welcome jobs boost for North and West Roscommon,” concluded Deputy Feighan.